May we all strive to have a faith like Paul who wrote 13 books of the Bible. You can learn more through an article on Bible Study Tools by Pamela Palmer. Today I encourage you to meditate on Paul’s words regarding our faith.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For we live by faith, not by sight.

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him!

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭TPT‬ — Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — Lead the male elders into disciplined lives full of dignity and self-control. Urge them to have a solid faith, generous love, and patient endurance.

Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — I pray for you that the faith we share may effectively deepen your understanding of every good thing that belongs to you in Christ.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

Join us as we wrap up our week with Deborah sharing on strength.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV — but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

The last way God strengthens me is through His Holy Word. To receive His power and be ready to face my day ahead, I get up early enough to have quiet devotion and prayer time with God. Each morning I read several devotions and it never fails that at least one out of those devotions speaks directly to whatever may be on my mind or whatever battle I am facing. Scripture can encourage and strengthen me when I feel weak. 

Today’s featured scripture is what I call my life verse. This verse has been important to me from early in my adult life. My husband Clark and I both gain strength and comfort from this verse and when we were married we had it inscribed in our wedding bands. It is a verse that I call on when I feel weak or need His power. Do you have a life verse? Do you have a verse that you keep closely tucked in your heart to recall in times that you need His strength? I encourage you to spend some time reflecting and discovering what scripture verse could be called your life verse. Write it down on a note card or in a place you can see when you need a dose of encouragement or strength from God. We would love it if you would share your life verses in the comments so we can all gain strength and power from His word.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for Your Holy Word. May I always hold on to Your promises for strength in my times of weakness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalms 150:1-5 NIV — Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

One of the most intimate ways I have experienced God comforting me and giving me strength is through music. When I am truly focused on Christian music I am able to be engulfed by the words and allow God to use those words to speak directly to my heart. Often, I walk into church on Sunday morning or turn the radio on in my car and just the right song is playing to comfort or strengthen me. How does music affect you? Has music been a source of comfort and strength for you? Do you have a favorite Christian song?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of music. May my ears, heart, and mind be open to the messages of strength and comfort that You speak to me through music. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philippians 4:13 KJV — I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Another way God gives us strength is through other people. God may speak to us and strengthen us through the words of a sermon delivered by a pastor. He also may use the words from a friend’s text, card, blog post, or conversation to give you the power you need in a particular situation. Just this week God strengthened me through a friend’s text and a note card from another friend. How has God used your friends, family, or pastor to give you strength? How have you been used to strengthen someone else? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for those You put in my path to strengthen me. May my eyes and ears be open to those You send and may I be receptive to the message they share with me on Your behalf. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.